all right--we've taken root!" Lamuse says.

"What dirty devils these, people are!" murmurs Barque, who finds his
reception hard to stomach.

"It's shameful and sickening," says Marthereau.

"One would think it was the first time you'd had any of it!"

"And you, old gabbler," chides Barque, "that says prettily to the
wine-robber, 'Can't be helped, it's a military order'! Gad, old man,
you're not short of cheek!"

"What else could I do or say? We should have had to go into mourning
for our table and our wine. She could make us pay forty sous for the
wine, and we should have had it all the same, shouldn't we? Very
well, then, got to think ourselves jolly lucky. I'll admit I'd no
confidence, and I was afraid it was no go."

"I know; it's the same tale everywhere and always, but all the
same--"

"Damn the thieving natives, ah, oui! Some of 'em must be making
fortunes. Everybody can't go and get killed."

"Ah, the gallant people of the East!"

"Yes, and the gallant people of the North!"

"Who welcome us with open arms!"